ii. College 101
Questions to Consider:
- What language and customs do you need to know to succeed in college?
- What is the hidden curriculum?
- What is your responsibility for learning in college?
- What resources will you use to meet these expectations?
- What are the common challenges in the first year?
College Has Its Own Language and Customs
Going to college—even if you are not far from home—is a cultural experience. It comes with its own language and customs, some of which can be confusing or confounding at first. Just like traveling to a foreign country, it is best if you prepare by learning what words mean and what you are expected to say and do in certain situations.
Let’s first start with the language you may encounter. In most cases, there will be words that you have heard before, but they may have different meanings in a college setting. Take, for instance, “office hours.” If you are not in college, you would think that it means the hours of a day that an office is open. If it is your dentist’s office, it may mean Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In college, “office hours” can refer to the specific hours a professor is in her office to meet with students, and those hours may be only a few each day: for example, Mondays and Wednesdays from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.
The language that colleges and universities use can feel familiar but mean something different, as you learned in the section above, and it can also seem alien, especially when institutions use acronyms or abbreviations for buildings, offices, and locations on campus. Terms such as “quad” or “union” can denote a location or space for students. Then there may be terms such as “SIL” (Student Involvement and Leadership, in this example) that designate a specific building or office. Describe a few of the new terms you have encountered so far and what they mean. If you are not sure, ask your professor or a fellow student to define it for you. This UNO glossary will help you understand important UNO terms that you will want to know when you hear them on campus.
To help get you started, check out the UNO College Vocab 101 video below!
In addition to its own language, higher education has its own way of doing things. For example, you may be familiar with what a high school teacher does, but do you know what a professor does? It certainly seems like they fulfill a very similar role as teachers in high school, but in college, professors’ roles are often much more diverse. In addition to teaching, they may also conduct research, mentor graduate students, write and review research articles, serve on and lead campus committees, serve in regional and national organizations in their disciplines, apply for and administer grants, advise students in their major, and serve as sponsors for student organizations. You can be assured that their days are far from routine. See the table below for just a few differences between high school teachers and college professors.
Table of the Differences Between High School and College Faculty
|
High School Faculty |
College Faculty |
| Often have degrees or certifications in teaching in addition to degrees in subject matter | Most likely have not even taken a course in teaching as part of their graduate program |
| Responsibilities include maximizing student learning and progress in a wide array of areas | Responsibilities include providing students with content and an assessment of their mastery of the content |
| Are available before or after school or during class if a student has a question | Are available during office hours or by appointment if a student needs additional instruction or advice |
| Communicate regularly and welcome questions from parents and families about a student’s progress | Cannot communicate with parents and families of students without permission because of the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) |
Table 1.3 – Table comparing high school and college faculty, highlighting differences in teaching background, responsibilities, availability, and communication policies.
The relationships you build with your professors will be some of the most important ones you create during your college career. You will rely on them to help you find internships, write letters of recommendation, nominate you for honors or awards, and serve as references for jobs. You can develop those relationships by participating in class, visiting during office hours, asking for assistance with coursework, requesting recommendations for courses and majors, and getting to know the professor’s own academic interests.
At the University of New Orleans, we’re incredibly lucky to have professors who are not only experts in their fields but also genuinely invested in their students’ success. Building relationships with faculty is more than just a good idea—it’s a key part of your college journey. These are the people who will guide you, support you, and open doors to opportunities you may not even know exist yet.
In the video below, UNO students share how meaningful their connections with professors have been. Whether it’s through mentorship, advice, or just being available to talk, our faculty are here to help you thrive. Let their stories remind you that you’re not in this alone—your professors are part of your team
